Wall fixture



Jan. 2, 1945. Y E R m 2,366,447

WALL FIXTURE Filed March 31, 1942 I Jqmes Geri Wl/hom K? 616 U6. INVENTORS m mmw Patented Jan. 2, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WALL FIXTURE James Gerity, Jr., Adrian, Mich., and William A. Claus, Toledo, Ohio, assignors to Gerity-Adrian Manufacturing Corporation, Adrian, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application March 31, 1942, Serial No. 437,092

3 Claims.

This'invention relates to wall brackets or fixtures and method of firmly securing the same to a wall or support and concerns itself more particularly with that type used in bath rooms although the method and improvements of the invention are equally applicable to fixtures adapted to be fixed to walls or to any suitable support.

The invention embraces the method of fixing a fixtur to a support by providing an opening having a lining of a cementitious composition in which are embedded projections formed on said fixture to thereby produce a firm bond between the fixture and its support when the composition takes its final setting.

The invention includes integrally formed pro- J'ections for fixing a fixture to a support, the arrangement of the projections being such as to force a cementitious or bonding composition to adhere firmly to the fixture and its support thus eliminating voids and gaps therebetween.

The invention also contemplates a bath room fixture provided with means whereby a plurality of keys or bonds are formed with a cementitious composition producing concealed securing means for the fixture.

One of the objects of theinvention is the provision of concealed means for firmly securing a fixture .to a wall or support, the means being so arranged as to force a cementitious composition to cling tenaciously to the support and the body of the said means thereby forming an anchorage which does not interfere with accurate positioning of the fixture.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a recessed fixture having integrally formed flanges arranged to produce unobstructed passages so that the fixture is firmly held in place by using a very thin lining of a cementitious composition such as mortar, plaster of Paris or concrete applied to the opening adapted to receive such fixture.

A further object is to provide a recess type fixture with securing means so arranged that the marginal portion will be forced into binding contact with the supporting surface, avoiding open spaces between the supporting structure and the fixture whereby the securing means will not only be completely concealed but preventsmoisture from entering to destroy the bond between the fixture and its support.

Another object of the .invention is to provide a recess type fixture of novel construct on which may be mounted upon a wall in a simple manner requiring no particular skill, of a type which may be economically produced and which in use,

presents an ornamental and attractive appearance. v

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this invention such as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of, the related elements of the structure, to various details of construction and to combinations of parts, elements per se, and to economies of manufacture and numerous other, features as will be apparent from a consideration. of the specification and drawing of a form of the invention, which may be preferred, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a bathroom fixture fixed to a wall with certain portions re- Figure 2 isa side elevational view of the fixture shown in Figure'l;

Figure 3.is a fragmentary top plan view of a fixture of the type'illustrated in Figure 1 showing a modified form of anchoring means;

Figur e is a side elevational view of the anchoring-means shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary top planv view of a bathroom fixture showing another form of anchoring means;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the fixture shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is-a fragmentary top plan view of a recess type fixture incorporating a modified form of anchoring means; i

Figure 8is a side elevational view of a fixture showing the anchoring means illustrated in Figure 7;

.Figure 9 isa top plan view of a bathroom fixture illustrating another form of anchoring means.

The invention is illustrated as embodied in a bathroom fixture of the recess type also known as recessed fixtures, which are usually fixed to a support by embedding the same in awall or in a suitable opening provided in said support. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this type of fixture but that we contemplate its usewherever the method and principles hereinafter. enumerated may be found to have-utility. Moreover we do not wish to limit the invention to the forms shown but that the same are used for illustration purposes only.

The invention in one of its general. aspects embraces the method of firmly securing to a wall or a supporting structure a recess type fixture having marginal flanges which includes the steps; of providing a recess capable of receiving the fixture; of covering opposed walls of said recess preferably the vertically disposedwalls with a relatively thin lining of a cementitious composition; and of embedding in said lining projections integrally formed on said fixture while the lining is in plastic condition to produce a bond therebetween sov that the fixture is firmly held in place when the compositiontakes its final setting. In addition it is contemplated a recess type fixture having integrally formed outwardly extending projections located at each side of a plane passing through the longitudinal center of the fixture, the projectio being so arranged as to force a cementitious or bonding composition to adhere firmly to the surface of the fixture and that of the support eliminating air pockets or gaps and urging the marginal portion into binding contact with the face of the supporting surface or wall structure.

Referring to the drawing and particularly to Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that the invention is embodied in a bathroom fixture ID of the recess type used for receiving soap and having a horizontally disposed hand rail.' This type of fixture is preferably formed of a semi-cylindrical wall I2, a top surface l3 and a bottom wall or soap receiving tray I4 thus forming an open chamber bounded by an escutcheon I5 including the vertically disposed laterally projecting flanges l6 and I1 and the horizontal flanges l8 and 20 connected thereto. The horizontally disposed hand rail or grab bar 22 is carried by the vertically disposed flanges I6 and H. The fixture is preferably made of suitable die casting alloys of low cost provided with a coating such as i chromium capable of withstanding heat,'abrasion and corrosion as well as dust and moisture without impairing in any way its usefulness or pleasing appearance. However, we contemplate a fixture produced of other types of die casting material such as synthetic plastics.

In the embodiment shown the fixture i is attached to the wall structure 24 by having the semi-cylindrical wall inserted therein so that the escutcheon I is in engagement with the wall face 25. For this purpose the wall is preferably faced with tile 26 and the semi-cylindrical wall I2 of the fixturell) may be inserted in the tiled wall by providing a chamber or forming a relatively large recess which need not be of any exact dimension but somewhat smaller than the overall dimensions of escutcheon Hi.

The walls of the chamber or the recess, preferably the vertically disposed walls 21 and 28', are lined with a cementitious or bonding material 29, such as mortar, plaster of Paris .or other suitable material and the fixture is embedded in the lining so as'to form a suitable bond when the cementitious composition takes its final set.- ting. I I

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the outer surface of the semicylindrical wall l2 bounded by the pair of flanges l6 and I! which extend in opposite directions at each end thereof is provided with a plurality of integrally formed projections located at each side of a vertical plane passing through the center of. the curved wall, these projections are located adjacent to the vertically disposed flanges l6 and I! forming two sets of anchoring means similarly arranged, therefore a detailed description of one set will be suificient to fully understand the invention.

In Figure 2, one set of the anchoring means of the invention is shown in elevation and the same fl n e I 6.

includes a pair of spaced aligned projections or relatively thin flanges 3|] and 3| and a rearwardly disposed projecting flange 33. The projections 30 and 3| extend lengthwise of the fixture and the space 34 separating them is spanned by the rearwardly located vertically disposed projection 33, the latter is preferablymade of a somewhat greater longitudinal dimension than the space 34 or each of the spaced projections. It should be noted that the projections 30 and 3| do not extend the entire length of the wall l2 but provide free upper and lower marginal portions 35 and 36. The anchoring flanges or staggered projections 30, 3| and 33 are made relatively thin with their rear walls forming uniplanar sections while their respective front walls located nearer the marginal flange l'l are formed at their base with curved sections 38.

The correlation, shape and arrangement of the projections 30, 3| and 33 with respect to the curved wall l2 and the flanges of the escutcheon 15 not only permits, the easy entrance and embedment of the projections while the cementitious or bonding composition 29 of the lining of the recess is in plastic or soft condition but forces the composition to cover the front wall sections, wedging said composition between the projections and the wall of the recess eliminating gaps, so that even when the composition is in a :plastic state, the fixture cannot be easily withdrawn. This resistance to the withdrawal of the fixture is further enhanced by the curved sections 38 of each of the projections so that when the cementitious composition takes its final setting a plurality of bonds are present forming a substantial anchor to prevent the removal of the fixture. I

The provision of integrally formed flanges or lateral fins on each side of the outer curved wall of the recessed fixture lengthwise thereof provides a very simple and inexpensive structure whereby the marginal flanges of the fixture are forced into intimate contact with the face of the supporting wall when the cementitious lining takes its final setting. The intimate contact of marginal flanges with the face of the support prevents moisture from having access to the securin means to destroy the bonds or anchorage between the fixture and the supporting wall so that the fixture can be exposed to water with complete assurance that when force is applied to the hand rail the fixture will remain immovable.

Figures 3 and 4 show another form of the invention illustrating one set of the fixture anchoring means, the same includes a pair of spaced radial fins or. integrally formed flanges 40 and 4| of substantially the same dimensions extending lengthwise on one side of the curved wall l2 adjacent to the vertically disposed marginal The flange 40 is formed with a plurality of openings 42 and its end surface 43 is provided with spaced notches 44, whileflange 4| is also provided. with openings 46 and notches 41 which are out of registration with the openings and notches formed on flange 40. a The front wall or surface of each of the flanges 40 and 4| facand of the notches 44 with 41, serve to effectively displace the cementitious material lining the recess adapted to receive the fixture so thatv such material is not only forced through the cooperating action of the openings andnotches to the front wall section of the radial projections but is also wedged between the fixture and the walls of the recess, forming a plurality of bonds or keys producing very effective concealed means for firmly holding the fixture in position. Furthermore, this arrangement also urges the marginal surfaces of the recessed fixture into binding engagement with the face of the supporting wall adjacent to the recess so that moisture is prevented from having access to the fixture anchoring means.

Referring to Figures and 6 illustrating another form of the invention, it can be seen that one set of the anchoring means includes a pair of integrally formed flanges or laterally projecting members 50 and 5|, both extending lengthwise on one side of the curved wall of the recessed fixture adjacent to the marginal-left flange. The verticall positioned members .50 and 5| are not radially disposed with respect to the curved surface as the flanges disclosed in the form of the invention shown in Figures 3 and 4 but are in planes forming acute angles with a vertical longitudinal plane passing through the center of the fixture. The member 59 preferably extends beyond the member 5| and is formed with a plurality of openings 53, these openings perform the dual function of passage means for the cementitious material to cover the front wall of said member when the projecting flanges 59 and 5| are inserted into the lining covering the walls of the recess and also as means for producing a plurality of bonds or keys when the cementitious material takes its final setting. It should be noted that in this form of the invention the front walls 54 and 55 of each memher are formed with curved sections 56 and 5! and that the anchoring members 50 and 5! do not extend to the entire length of the curved wall of the fixture but provide unobstructed marginal portions 58 and 59 for the effective displacement of the plastic lining covering the walls of the recess adapted to accommodate the fixture.

Figures '7 and 8 disclose another form of the invention wherein the set of the anchoring means includes the integrally formed projecting flange or anchoring member 10 which extends lengthwise on the outer surface of the curved wall l2 adjacent to the side marginal flange H5. The anchoring member 10 is vertically disposed on a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal plane passing through the center of the fixture having one of its wall surfaces provided with a curved section 12 and provided with a plurality of openings or slots 73 and I4 which provide passageways for the cementitious material lining the recess adapted to receive the fixture. The position of the anchoring flange 19 with respect to the curved wall and with the marginal flange of the fixture and the fact that the member Ill is provided as at with a curved section form a very effective means .for the displacement of the cementitious material forcing the same not only through the slots 13 and 14 but in wedging engagement with the fixture and the walls of the recess whereby the cementitious material not only clings tenaciouslythereto but produces a plurality of bonds or keys when the same takes its final setting. In this form of the invention the effective displacement of thecementitious material is enhanced by the fact that the anchoring member Ill does not extend through the entire length of the .curvedwall of the fixture but provides upper and lower unobstructed sections TI and 18 which allows the free flow of the cementitious material to the .forward portion of the fixture adjacent therear of the marginal flanges. In the form of the invention illustrated in Figure 9, the semi-cylindrical wall l2-of the recessed fixture I0 is provided with a pair of in.- tegrally formed projections and 9| located at each side of a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal center of the fixture and ad.- jacent to the vertically disposed flanges l6 and I! forming two sets of anchoring means'similarly arranged. The lateral projections or anchoring flanges 90 and 9| have their rear walls 92 and 93 forming uniplanar sections substantially parallel to the side flanges I6 or I! and extend lengthwise of the curved wall of the fixture providing upper and lower unobstructed portions. The end surface 94 and 95 of each of the projections is curved and the front wall is formed with curved base sections 96 and 9'l.

The shape and arrangement of the vertically disposed lateral projections 90 and 9| with respect to the curved outer wall and flanges of the escutcheon of the fixture not only. permits the easy embedment of the projections while the cementitious material forming a lining to the walls of the recess corresponding to thelocation of the projections is in plastic condition, but forces or wedges the cementitious composition between the fixture and the recess urging thereby the marginal flanges into binding engagement with the face of the wall adjacent the recess when the material takes its final setting so that moisture is prevented from having access to the securing means.

It should be noted that in the forms of the inventionillustrated the anchoring means are shown as being located in a vertical direction, but it is to be understood that the terms vertical, upper and lower are used in a relative sense, indicating that the integrally formed flanges or projections are intended to be disposed as extending in the greater dimension of the semicylindrical wall of the recessed fixture.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modifications and different arrangements may be made other than is herein disclosed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.

What we claim is:

1. A fixture adapted to be fixed into, and anchored in a cementitious composition in, a relatively shallow recess in a supporting wall; the fixture having a convex rear surface adapted to be located within said recess, a marginal front flange connected to and at the forward perimeter of said surface and adapted to be located in contact with said supporting wall so as to conceal said recess and retain said composition; a plurality of spaced anchoring flanges disposed onand extending laterally from said surface for embedment in said composition, said anchoring flanges being of less length than the corresponding length of said surface, having a lesser lateral extent than the front flange and a rearward extent not greater than said urface; the arrangement of the convex rear surface, the lateral anchoring flanges and the front wall flange being such that when placing the fixture into the recess the oementitious composition is urged into the space betweenthe fixture and the walls of the recess whereby the fixture may be securely anbe located within said recess, a marginal front flangeconnected to and at the forward perimeter of said surface and adapted to be located in contact with said supporting wall so as to conceal said recess and retain said composition; a pluunity of spaced anchoring flanges disposed on and extending laterally from said surface for embedment in said composition, said anchoring flanges having a plurality of openings in each of the same, said anchoring flanges being of less length than the corresponding length of said surface, having a lesser lateral extent than the vent flange and a rearward extent not greater than said surface; the arrangement of the con vex rear surface, the lateral anchoring flanges and the front wall flange being such that when placing the fixture into the recess the cementitlous composition is urged into the space between the fixture and the walls of the recess whereby the fixture may be securely anchored in place with the front wall flange in contact with the face of the supporting wall.

3. A fixture adapted to be fixed into, and anchored in a cementitious composition in a relatively shallow recess in a supporting wall, the fixture having a main metallic section rearwardly extended to form a convex shaped rear surface and a recessed open front portion, said sec- 'tion adapted to be located in said wall recess; a front flange surrounding the perimeter of said main section, said flange adapted to lie in contact with said supporting wall so as to conceal said recess and retain said composition; a plurality of: spaced anchoring flanges disposed on and extending laterally from said surface for embedment in said composition, said anchoring flanges being of less length than the corresponding length of said surface, having a lesser lateral extent than the front flange and a rearward extent not greater than said rear surface and a transverse grab bar connected to said front flanges on the opposite vertical sides of the fixture; the arrangement of the rearward surface, the lateral anchoring flanges and the front wall flange being such that when placing the fixture into the recess the cementitious composition is urged into the space between the flxture and the wallsof the recess whereby the fixture may be 

